Read
24Never tell lies or be deceitful
in what you say.
25Keep looking straight ahead,
without turning aside.
26 Know where you are headed,
and you will stay
on solid ground.
27Don't make a mistake by turning
to the right or the left.
Reflect
What keeps us from telling the truth? Most often it is fear of what others will think, fear of rejection. These things come from a deep seated insecurity.
When I left university after discarding my goal of becoming a journalist, I had no idea what to do or where to go. I wandered for a long time, travelling to Canada’s far north, believing that living day by day was the best way to go. Without purpose or direction it was inevitable that I would become miserable, insecure and desperate to belong. I would say whatever people seemed to want to hear, hoping I would be accepted.
It was not until God took hold of my life that all the pieces fell into place and I knew where to go and what to do.
The writer here tells his son he will stand on firm ground if he knows where he is going. That speaks of a person secure in their understanding of who they are in Christ and what purpose God has for their lives. It is a picture of a man focused on the goal set before him, firm in his resolve to accomplish it. Such security is only found in Christ. With his Spirit guiding us, his mercy and grace always available to us, we can know we are indeed standing on solid ground. There is no need to turn to the right or the left because he has shown us the right path.
Respond
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are our firm foundation, the source of our security. We ask that you show us your purpose for our lives, direct our steps, and grant us your mercy and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
Marcia Lee Laycock
Marcia Lee Laycock is an award-winning writer and sought-after speaker. Having lived a few kilometers from the Arctic Circle, and two degrees off the Equator, her writing draws from a rich field of experiences. Marcia was the winner of the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone, and she now has four devotional books and a fantasy series in print, which have also garnered awards. Marcia lives in central Alberta with her pastor husband. They have three grown daughters and two huge Great Dane grand-puppies.